Methods of activating nkt cells

ABSTRACT

Provided are methods of activating an NKT cell which include a step of contacting the NKT cell with a sufficient amount of isoglobotrihexosylceramide (iGb3) to induce secretion of a cytokine from the NKT cell, stimulate proliferation of the NKT cell or upregulate expression of a cell surface marker on the NKT cell. Methods of activating an NKT cell population in a subject are also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.11/218,906, filed Sep. 2, 2005, which claims the benefit of priorityfrom U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/606,941, filed Sep. 3,2004, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein intheir entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

This invention was made with United States government support awarded bythe National Institutes of Health, under grants PO1 Al053725, RO1Al38339 and Al50847. The United States has certain rights in thisinvention.

INTRODUCTION

The CD1d molecule is a member of the CD1 family of β2microglobulin-associated molecules. In contrast to class I and II majorhistocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules that present peptide antigensto CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, respectively, CD1 molecules have evolved tocapture and process both foreign and self lipid antigens for display toa particular subset of T cells known variously as NKT cells,CD1d-restricted T cells, invariant NKT or iNKT cells. NKT cells arecharacterized by self lipid reactivity and rapid effector responses. NKTcells express both natural killer (NK) cell surface markers and aconserved, semi-invariant T-cell receptor (TCR), specifically, Vα14-Jα18paired with Vβ8 in mice, and Vα24-Jα18 paired with Vβ11 in humans.

NKT cells play an important role in a number of immune functions,including antimicrobial responses, antitumor immunity and regulating thebalance between tolerance and autoimmunity. They express a naturalmemory phenotype typically associated with autoreactive recognition ofconserved endogenous ligands.

A number of natural and synthetic agonists for NKT cells have beenreported. The prototypical compound used to study NKT cell activation invitro and in vivo is KRN7000, an α-galactosylceramide (αGalCer)originally isolated from marine sponge Agelas mauritianus (Kawano, etal., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 278, 1626-29 (1997); see also U.S. Pat. No.6,531,453 to Taniguchi et al.). Previous work has also established therequirement for lysosomal trafficking of CD1d molecules (Chiu, Y H etal., Nat. Immunol. 3, 55-60 (2002)), and the roles of lysosomalproteases (Honey, K et al., Nat. Immunol. 3, 1069-74 (2002)) andsphingolipid activator proteins, or saposins (Zhou, D et al., Science303, 523-27 (2004); Kang S J et al., Nat. Immunol. 5, 175-81 (2004);Winau F et al., Nat. Immunol. 5, 169-74 (2004)). However, the naturalligand of the NKT cell receptor has not been previously identified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Described herein is the inventors' discovery of the natural NKT cellreceptor ligand, isoglobotrihexosylceramide (iGb3), a lysosomalglycosphingolipid of previously unknown function. Not only does thisdiscovery provide an investigative tool to study and elucidate thefunction of NKT cells in multiple contexts (e.g., cancerous, infectious,and autoimmune disorders), but it also provides the basis for a noveltherapeutic approach to these conditions as well.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention provides methods ofactivating an NKT cell which include a step of contacting the NKT cellwith a sufficient amount of iGb3 to induce secretion of a cytokine fromthe NKT cell, stimulate proliferation of the NKT cell or upregulateexpression of a cell surface marker on the NKT cell.

In another aspect, the invention provides methods of activating an NKTcell in a subject which include a step of administering iGb3 to thesubject in an amount sufficient to induce secretion of a cytokine fromthe NKT cell, stimulate proliferation of the NKT cell or upregulateexpression of a cell surface receptor on the NKT cell.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A presents representative FACS profiles demonstrating deficientthymic selection of Vα14 NKT cells in Hexb^(−/−) mice. Percentages areindicated in the upper quadrants. The data are representative of 5 pairsof littermates examined in 3 separate experiments.

FIG. 1B presents representative FACS profiles of splenocytes andthymocytes stained for CD4/CD8 and CD4/CD44 in Hexb^(−/−) mice.

FIG. 2A depicts autoreactive responses of Vα14 DN32.D3 and non-Vα14TCBII hybridomas against CD1d-expressing thymocytes from Hexb^(−/−) andHexb^(−/−) littermates.

FIG. 2B depicts Vα14 DN32.D3 hybridoma stimulation responses to spleencells from Hexb^(−/−) (◯) and Hexb^(−/−) littermates (), αGalAl- (▪)and CD1-TD knock-in (▴) mice. Spleen cells were pulsed with αGalCervariants as indicated prior to hybridoma stimulation. The data arerepresentative of 2 separate experiments.

FIG. 3A is a schematic of synthesis of iGb3 in the Golgi (dotted arrows,right), and its degradation in the lysosome (continuous arrows, left).From top to bottom, iGb4, iGb3 and Lactosyl ceramide.

FIG. 3B depicts frequency of hVα24 NKT PBL, doubly-stained by anti-Vα24and CD1d-αGalCer tetramers, in PBMC cultured for 4 days in the presenceof 100 ng/ml αGalCer, iGb3, or medium alone, as indicated.

FIG. 3C left panel depicts IFN-γ production by a human Vα24 NKT linestimulated with a range of concentrations of iGb3 and αGalCer in thepresence of irradiated PBMC as CD1d-expressing antigen presenting cells.The right panel depicts IFN-γ vs. IL-4 production by the human Vα24 NKTline in response to irradiated PBMC and 100 ng/ml of iGb3 of synthetic,purified and enzymatic origin, vs. 100 ng/ml of αGalCer, Gb3 or LacCer,as indicated.

FIG. 4A depicts stimulation of mouse Vα14 hybridoma DN32.D3 by iGb3 andiGb4 with bone marrow-derived DC as CD1d-expressing antigen-presentingcells from Hexb^(−/−), Hexb^(−/−) and CD1-TD mice, as indicated.

FIG. 4B depicts stimulation of mouse Vα14 hybridoma DN32.D3 by iGb3 withbone marrow-derived dendritic cells from saposin deficient (Sap^(−/−))and sufficient (Sap^(−/−)) littermates, as indicated.

FIG. 4C left panel depicts in vitro loading of iGb3 and iGb4 ontorecombinant CD1d in the presence of saposin B, visualized byisoelectrofocusing. Electromobility shift indicates partial replacementof GTI b by iGb3 and iGb4, as indicated. The right panel shows cell-freepresentation to DN32.D3 of iGb3 and iGb4 by plate-bound CD1d in thepresence of saposin B, as indicated.

FIG. 5A left panel depicts specific inhibition by IB4 of the stimulationof the human Vα24 NKT line by iGb3 but not αGalCer pulsed PBMC. Theright panel shows inhibition by anti-human CD1d mAb of both iGb3 andαGalCer stimulation.

FIG. 5B depicts specific inhibition of the CD1d-autoreactive response ofVα14+DN32.D3 but not that of non-Vα14 hybridomas TCB 11 and TBA7 toRBL.CD1d by isolectin B4. Results are expressed as % control withoutlectin, and are representative of 4 separate experiments.

FIG. 5C depicts ELISA results (measured by as GMCSF release in thesupernatant) demonstrating specific inhibition by IB4 of theCD1d-autoreactive response of the hVα24 NKT line to PBMC-deriveddendritic cells alone, but not the response to PBMC-derived dendriticcells plus exogenous αGalCer. Results are expressed as % control withoutlectin (i.e. 939 pg/ml for exogenous ligand and 294 pg/ml for endogenousligand) and are representative of 3 separate experiments.

FIG. 6A depicts recombinant FLAG-tagged iGb3 enzyme detected by Westernblot as indicated by arrow.

FIG. 6B depicts synthesized iGb3 as detected by HPTLC analysis. Lane 1,lactosylceramide; Lane 2, 48% of lactosylceramide was converted to iGb3(indicated by arrow) after incubation with enzyme.

FIG. 6C provides NMR spectrum of enzymatically synthesized iGb3. Upperpanel, downfield region of 500-MHz ¹H-NMR spectrum (DMSO-d₆/2% D20, 35°C.) of Gal α1,3 Gal β1,4 Glc β1,1Cer product of in vitro enzymaticglycosylation of Gal β1,4 Glc β1,1Cer; lower panel, a spectrum ofchemically synthesized iGb3 acquired under identical conditions. Arabicnumerals refer to ring protons of residues designated by Roman numeralsin the corresponding structures; Sph refers to protons of thesphingosine backbone; S, resonances corresponding to residual substrate;P, resonances corresponding to product. Impurity peaks are marked byasterisks.

FIG. 7 depicts a suitable scheme for synthesis of iGb3.

DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL EMBODIMENTS

Because of their role in regulating several widespread diseases, thenature and diversity of ligands recognized by NKT cells has been thesubject of intense research and speculation. The present inventors haveidentified a single glycosphingolipid, isoglobotrihexosylceramide,referred to herein as “iGb3,” as the primary endogenous ligand of bothmouse Vα14 and human Vα24 NKT cells.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, the invention provides a method ofactivating an NKT cell by contacting the NKT cell with iGb3. Thestructure of iGb3 is represented by the following chemical formula:

“Activating an NKT cell” herein refers to inducing an observable effectin an NKT cell that is consistent with a cellular response to TCRbinding by a stimulus. Observable effects of activation of NKT cellsinclude secretion of cytokines, clonal proliferation of NKT cells andupregulation of expression of cell surface markers, for example, CD69molecules, IL-12 receptors and/or CD40L molecules.

To activate an NKT cell in accordance with the present methods, the NKTcell is contacted with iGb3 in an amount sufficient to induce any of theabove-listed observable effects. In vivo and ex vivo NKT cell activationare also contemplated, as discussed herein below.

A “cytokine,” as the term is used herein and in the art, is anextracellular signaling protein or peptide that acts as a mediator incell-to-cell communication. The term “cytokine” encompasses any suchsignaling molecule, and may include, but is not limited to, lymphokines,interleukins, tumor necrosis factors, granulocyte-macrophage colonyactivating factors and interferons.

Cytokines secreted by NKT cells may downregulate or moderatecell-mediated inflammatory reactions or exhibit other immunosuppressiveor immunomodulatory properties. Examples of immunosuppressive orimmunomodulatory cytokines may include, but are not limited to, IL-10,IL-4, and IL-12 IL-13 and GM-CSF. Alternatively, cytokines secreted byNKT cells may be involved in the amplification of inflammatoryreactions. Inflammatory cytokines may include, but are not limited toIFN-γ, IL-2, IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, TNF, and TGF-β. It is appreciated thathost responses to cytokines are largely multifactorial, and accordingly,particular cytokines listed above may evoke either a pro-inflammatory oran immunomodulatory response, depending on cellular context. Moreover,combinations of any of the above-noted cytokines may be secreted by NKTcells upon activation.

Methods for detecting and measuring levels of secreted cytokines arewell-known in the art, and include, e.g., ELISA, Western blotting, FACS,etc.

NKT cell proliferation may also be induced upon activation by contactwith iGb3. Proliferation is suitably measured in vitro by standardmethods, e.g. ³H-thymidine or BrdU incorporation assays or trypan bluestaining.

Upregulation of cell surface markers is also suitably observed uponactivation of NKT cells. For example, CD69, CD25, CD40L and IL-12receptors are upregulated upon activation of NKT cells. Immunologicmethods, such as FACS, may be used to detect upregulation of cellsurface markers, as well as other methods commonly employed in the art.

In the present methods, activation of NKT cells is typically initiatedby contacting the TCR of the NKT cell with iGb3. iGb3 is may bepresented by CD1d molecules on the surface of antigen presenting cells,such as dendritic cells, however, direct stimulation, i.e., contact ofthe TCR with “free” iGb3 is also contemplated. iGb3 may be provided inpurified form or may be synthetic. As used herein, “purified” refers tocompounds that have been separated from natural sources, although noparticular degree of purity is required. As used herein, “synthetic”refers to compounds that have been produced according to a chemicalsynthetic process or produced by the action of an enzyme on a substrate.For example, iGb3 may be produced by the action of iGb3 synthase onlactosylceramide, or may be produced by the action of β-hexosaminidaseson iGb4, which is represented by the following chemical structure:

Alternatively, iGb3 is suitably synthetically prepared according tomethods known in the art, or e.g., as described in Example 6 hereinbelow.

iGb3 is generated as a transient intermediate during the synthesis ofiGb4 in the Golgi apparatus and during the degradation of iGb4 in thelysosome (see FIG. 3A). The inventors have discovered that lysosomaliGb3 serves as the source of antigen for CD1d-restricted NKT cells.Accordingly, the present methods may comprise providing iGb4 as an “iGb3precursor” to an antigen presenting cell, wherein it is degraded to iGb3in the lysosome, associated with a CD1d molecule and shuttled to theplasma membrane for presentation to NKT cells.

Not to be bound by theory, it is hypothesized that lysosomal iGb3 mightbe dysregulated in type I diabetes and in cancer, where NKT cells exertprotective functions mediated by Th2 and Th1 cytokines, respectively.Further, because endogenous rather than exogenous ligands induceprotective IFN-γ release by NKT cells during infection by salmonella,iGb3 may activate NKT cells during infection, as well. Accordingly, thepresent invention contemplates activating an NKT cell population withina subject, or alternatively, activating an NKT cell population ex vivoand reintroducing the activated NKT cell population back into thesubject. The subject is suitably a mammal, e.g., a human or a mouse.

Methods of activating an NKT cell population in a subject includeadministering iGb3 or an iGb3 precursor to the subject. Administrationto a subject in accordance with some methods of the invention mayinclude first formulating the iGb3 or iGb3 precursor withpharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or excipients to providedesired dosages, etc. Suitable formulations for therapeutic compoundsare known in the art. Administration may be carried out by any suitablemethod, including intraperitoneal, intravenous, intramuscular,subcutaneous, transcutaneous, oral, nasopharyngeal or transmucosalabsorption, among others. Suitably, the compound is administered in anamount effective to activate an NKT cell population such that atherapeutic effect is achieved in the subject, e.g., an antineoplasticor antidiabetic effect.

Administration of iGb3 or an iGb3 precursor to a subject in accordancewith the present invention appears to exhibit beneficial effects in adose-dependent manner. Thus, within broad limits, administration oflarger quantities of iGb3 or iGb3 precursor is expected to activate NKTcells to a greater degree than does administration of a smaller amount.Moreover, efficacy is also contemplated at dosages below the level atwhich toxicity is seen. Further, in practice, higher doses are generallyused where the therapeutic treatment of a disease state is the desiredend, while the lower doses are generally used for prophylactic purposes.

It will be appreciated that the specific dosage administered in anygiven case will be adjusted in accordance with the specific compoundsbeing administered (e.g., iGb3 or an iGb3 precursor), the disease to betreated, the condition of the subject, and other relevant medicalfactors that may modify the activity of the drug or the response of thesubject, as is well known by those skilled in the art. For example, thespecific dose for a particular patient depends on age, body weight,general state of health, on diet, on the timing and mode ofadministration, on the rate of excretion, and on medicaments used incombination and the severity of the particular disorder to which thetherapy is applied. Dosages for a given patient can be determined usingconventional considerations, e.g., by customary comparison of thedifferential activities of iGb3 (or an iGb3 precursor) and of a knownagent, such as by means of an appropriate conventional pharmacologicalprotocol.

The maximal dosage for a subject is the highest dosage that does notcause undesirable or intolerable side effects. The number of variablesin regard to an individual treatment regimen is large, and aconsiderable range of doses is expected. It is anticipated that dosagesof iGb3 (or iGb3 precursor) in accordance with the present inventionwill reduce symptoms at least 50% compared to pre-treatment symptoms.

The following examples are provided to assist in a further understandingof the invention. The particular materials and conditions employed areintended to be further illustrative of the invention and are notlimiting upon the reasonable scope of the appended claims.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Experimental Methods

The following materials and methods were used in the experimentsdescribed in Examples 2-5.

Mice. β2M^(−/−), from Jackson Labs (Bar Harbor, Mass.), CD1d^(−/−) andCD1-TD “knock in” mice that carry the tail deleted CD1d molecule,αGa1A^(−/−) mice were in the C57BL/6 background; Hexb^(−/−), GM2^(−/−)and GM3^(−/−) mice were in the 129/Sv background. In all cases,littermates obtained from heterozygous matings were genotyped by PCR andused for comparative analysis. All mice were raised in a specificpathogen-free environment at University of Chicago according to theInstitutional Animal Care and Use Committee guidelines.

Lymphocyte preparation and flow cytometry. Lymphocyte preparations,CD1d-αGalCer tetramers, and flow cytometry staining were done accordingto standard protocols, e.g., those described in Zhou D et al., Science303, 523-27 (2004), incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

CD1d-restricted T cell responses. Antigen presenting cells were mousespleen cells cultured at 5×10⁵ cells/well, mouse bone marrow-deriveddendritic cells generated in the presence of GMC-SF and IL4, activatedovernight with 10 ng/ml TNF-α and cultured at 5×10⁴ cells/well, andhuman PBMC or GM-CSF/IL-4 cultured PBMC-derived dendritic cells culturedat 2.5×10⁵ cells/well. NKT hybridomas were cultured at 5×10⁴ cells/welland the human NKT line was cultured at 2.5×10⁵ cells/well. Cytokinesreleased in the culture supernatant were measured by standard ELISA forhuman IL-4 and IFN-y (Pharmingen-Becton Dickinson, Calif.), and theindicator CTLL IL2 bioassay for mouse hybridomas. NKT hybridomas DN32.D3(Vα14⁺), TCBII (Vα14), TBA7 (Vα14⁻) and the rat basophil leukemiaRBL.CD1d transfectant line were used as described in Park, S-H et al.,J. Immunol. 160 3128-34 (1998), incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. The human polyclonal Vα24Vβ11 NKT line was derived by repeatedαGalCer stimulation of healthy human PBL in vitro and maintained by PHAand IL2 restimulation, and two different subclones, CD4 and DN, wereused in experiments. Griffonia Simplicifolia isolectin B4 (IB4) was fromVector Laboratories, and anti-human CD1d mAb 51 was obtained from Dr. S.Porcelli. For stimulation with synthetic glycolipids, APCs were pulsedfor 6 hours with various concentrations of lipids (from stock solutionin DMSO), washed and incubated with NKT cell hybridoma or cell lines for18-24 hours.

CD1d lipid loading and cell-free presentation assay. Purified complexesof CD1d-GT were made and exchange of lipid in these complexes wasquantified from isoelectric focusing gels as previously described byCantu C III, et al., J. Immunol. 170, 4673-82 (2003), incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety. Saposin-mediated loading of lipidwas performed with recombinant human saposin B as described in Zhou D etal., Science 303, 523-27 (2004), incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety, and with mouse saposin B. Recombinant mouse saposin B wasexpressed in a fly expression system and purified in the same mannerused for production of mouse CD1d, described in Benlagha K, et al., J.Exp. Med. 191, 1895-1903 (2000), incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. 2 μM mCD1d-GT was incubated with 25 μM of isogloboside in thepresence or absence of 5 μM saposin B. Both mouse and human saposin Bequally loaded iGb3 and iGb4 onto mCD1d-GT. Stimulation of the NKT cellhybridoma DN32.D3 was measured. Briefly, mouse CD1d protein was coatedfor 24 h at 1 μg/well in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) on 96-wellplates. Plates were washed three times with PBS and then incubated foranother 24 h with a constant lipid concentration of 6 μg/ml and variousconcentrations of mouse saposin B. Plates were washed three times withPBS; then 2×10⁴ hybridoma cells were added. Supernatants were collectedafter 24 h to measure IL-2 release.

Synthesis of iGb3. According to the mRNA sequence of a mouse homolog ofiGb3 synthase enzyme (GenBank accession No: XM_(—)144044), primers weredesigned to clone a soluble form of enzyme from cDNA prepared from mousethymuses:

5′ ATTATTATCAGGCTCATAGAAGG 3′ (SEQ ID NO: 1) 5′CTAGTTTCGCACCAGCGTATATTC 3′ (SEQ ID NO: 2)

A recombinant enzyme was produced using a Sf9 insect cell expressionsystem, with an N-terminal FLAG peptide for immunopurification byanti-FLAG M2 agarose beads (Sigma). FLAG-tagged iGb3 was detected byWestern blot, as shown in FIG. 6A.

To synthesize iGb3, purified recombinant iGb3 synthase was added to a 1ml mixture of 2 mM UDP-galactose (Sigma), 0.2% Triton X-100, 200 μglactosylceramide (Matreya) and 20 mM MnC1₂ in 100 mM Tris buffer (pH7.4), overnight at 37° C. Glycolipids were purified by reverse phase C18column chromatography and eluted by isocratial elution from 10% to 100%methanol. The reaction products were analyzed by HPTLC, as shown in FIG.6B. Glycosphingolipid samples were deuterium exchanged by repeatedaddition of CDCl3-CD30D 1:1, sonication, and evaporation under drynitrogen, and then dissolved in 0.5 mL DMSO-d₆/2% D₂O, that contained0.03% tetramethylsilane as chemical shift reference. 1-D 1H-NMR spectra,shown in FIG. 6C, were acquired at 35° C. on a Varian Inova 500 MHzspectrometer, with suppression of residual HOD by presaturation pulseduring the relaxation delay. The spectral data for the biosyntheticproduct were interpreted by comparison to those of relevantglycosphingolipid standards acquired under virtually identicalconditions, as well as to previously published data.

1-D ¹H-NMR spectrum of the enzyme incorporated iGb3. As shown in FIG.6C, 1-D ¹H-NMR spectrum of the purified reaction mixture clearlyexhibited H-1 resonances, consistent with the presence of a CTH productcontaining a non-reducing terminal α-galactose residue, at levelsapproximately 40-50% of those of the CDH acceptor substrate. Comparisonwith ¹H-NMR data published for various natural CTH variants, and forsynthetic standards of the isomeric CTH variants Gal α1,4 Gal β1,4 G1cβ1,1 Cer (Gb3) and Gal α1,3 Gal β1,4 G1c β1,1 Cer (iGb3), indicated thatthe product is iGb3. As shown FIG. 6, diagnostic resonances for H-1 ofGalα3, Galβ4, and Glcβ1 of iGb3 are observed at 4.836 ppm (³J_(1,2)=3.7Hz), 4.288 ppm (³J_(1,2)=7.8 Hz), and 4.168 (³J_(1,2)=7.8 Hz),respectively. In contrast, H-1 of Galα4, Galβ4, and Glcβ1 of Gb3 wereobserved at 4.789 ppm (³J_(1,2)=3.7 Hz), 4.257 ppm (³J_(1,2)=7.6 Hz),and 4.163 ppm (³J_(1,2)=7.6 Hz), respectively (data not shown). Theformer set of H-1 resonances were clearly recapitulated in the spectrumof the partially converted product; thus, in addition to H-1 resonancesat 4.205 ppm (³J_(1,2)=7.0 Hz) and 4.163 ppm (³J_(1,2)=7.7 Hz),corresponding to H-1 of Galβ4 and Glcβ1 of the CDH substrate, H-1resonances were observed at 4.836 ppm (³J_(1,2)=3.7 Hz) and 4.288 ppm(³J_(1,2)=7.3 Hz), identical to those of Galα3 and Galβ4 of iGb3 (thechemical shift of Glcβ1 H-1 is not significantly affected by theaddition of the terminal Galα3 residue, appearing at 4.166 ppm,(3J_(1,2)=8 Hz). Additional diagnostic resonances for the iGb3 structurecan be observed for H-5 of Galα3, H-4 of Galβ4, and H-4 of Galα3 at3.992, 3.857, and 3.739 ppm, respectively, in both spectra. Thecomparable resonances for H-5 of Galα4, H-4 of Galβ4, and H-4 of Galα4in the Gb3 structure were observed at 4.074, 3.791, and 3.744 ppm,respectively (data not shown). These chemical shift differences can allbe rationalized on the basis of the mutual shielding/deshieldinginfluences of atoms of the two Gal residues joined to each other by α1,3 versus α1,4 linkages in iGb3 and Gb3, respectively. Thecharacteristic pseudotriplet for H-5 of Galα4 in Gb3 is conspicuouslyabsent from the spectra of both biosynthetic and synthetic iGb3 in thevicinity of 4.074 ppm, and is instead overlapped with the Sph-1bresonance observed at ˜3.98 ppm. Thus, the identity of the biosyntheticproduct is clearly demonstrated as iGb3.

Example 2 Deficient Thymic Selection of Va14 NKT Cells and SpecificAntigen Presentation Defects in Hexb^(−/−) Mice

Lymphocytes from thymus and spleen of Hexb^(−/−) and Hexb^(−/−)littermates were stained with CD1d-αGalCer tetramers and anti-CD44.Absolute numbers of lymphocytes in the thymus and the spleen of mutantand wild type mice were similar. As shown in FIG. 1A, Hexb^(−/−) mice,deficient in the lysosomal glycosphingolipid degrading enzymeβ-Hexosaminidase b subunit, exhibited a severe reduction in Vα14 NKTcells. CD1d-αGalCer tetramer staining in both thymus and spleen wasreduced to 5% of control littermates, close to the background level ofmice deficient in CD1d expression such as β2-microglobulin^(−/−)(β2M^(−/−)) mice or CD1d^(−/−) mice (not shown). In contrast, as shownin FIG. 1B, the development of classical, naïve and memory CD4 and CD8 Tcells, as well as B cells, γδ T cells and NK cells (not shown), wasconserved.

While CD1d surface expression was unaltered, as shown in FIG. 2A,Hexb^(−/−) cells failed to elicit a response from Vα14 NKT cellhybridoma DN32.D3. (β-3-2M^(−/−) thymocytes lacking CD1d expressionserved as negative control). In contrast, the response of non-Vα14, CD1dautoreactive NKT hybridomas such as TCB 11 was conserved, suggesting aselective defect in the generation of the putative lysosomal ligands ofVα14 NKT cells.

Using a panel of diglycosylated derivatives of αGalCer requiringlysosomal processing into αGalCer prior to recognition by Vα14 NKT cells(as described in Prigozyet T I et al., Science 291, 664-7. (2001),incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) the lysosomalfunctions of Hexb^(−/−) cells were further probed. As shown in FIG. 2B,consistent with the known substrate specificities of the correspondingenzymes, there was a selective defect in the presentation of GalNAc β1,4Gal αCer by Hexb^(−/−) cells, whereas, in contrast, α-Galactosidase A(αGalA)^(−/−) cells showed a selective defect for Gal α1,4 Gal αCer andGal α1,2 Gal αCer. These results demonstrate the specific nature of theantigen presentation defects associated with these mutations. Asexpected, CD1-TD ‘knock-in’ cells were markedly defective in thepresentation of all of these complex glycolipids, due to impairedlysosomal recycling of CD1d bearing a truncation of the cytoplasmicendosomal targeting motif.

Example 3 iGb3 is the Ligand of mVα14 and hVα24 NKT Cells

Chemically synthesized globotrihexosylceramide (Gb3, Gal α1,4 Gal β1,4Glc β1,1 Cer) and isoglobotrihexosylceramide (iGb3, Gal α1,3 Gal β1,4Glc β1,1 Cer) were tested for their ability to stimulate NKT cells inthe presence of antigen-presenting cells. As shown in FIGS. 3-4, iGb3alone was a potent stimulator of both human Vα24 and mouse Vα14 NKTcells. Like αGalCer, iGb3 selectively stimulated and expanded human Vα14NKT cells in 4-day cultures of fresh PBMC (FIG. 3B). Synthetic iGb3presented by irradiated PBMC stimulated potent Th1 (IFNγ) and Th2 (IL4)cytokine secretion by a polyclonal human NKT line (FIG. 3C, left andright panels) as well as 2/2 cloned CD4 and DN lines (not shown). iGb3derived from other sources, including natural iGb3 purified from catintestine, and iGb3 produced in vitro by action of iGb3 synthase onlactosylceramide and UDP-galactose, were stimulatory as well, elicitingTh1 and Th2 cytokines at levels comparable to αGalCer (FIG. 3C, rightpanel). iGb3 presented by CD1d-expressing bone marrow-derived dendriticcells stimulated the mVα14 NKT cell hybridoma DN32.D3 (FIG. 4A) as wellas 5/5 other individual mVα14 hybridomas (not shown) and it failed tostimulate 3/3 non-Vα14 hybridomas (not shown).

Example 4 iGb4, but not LacCer, Stimulates NKT Cells

As shown in FIG. 4A, right panel, iGb4 presented by bone marrow-deriveddendritic cells was stimulatory for mouse and human (not shown) whereasLacCer, which can also be generated by degradation of GM3, was not. Alsoshown in FIG. 4A, Hexb^(−/−) cells presented iGb3 but failed to presentiGb4 and CD1d trafficking to lysosomal compartment was essential topresent these antigens due in part to the essential function of saposins(FIG. 4B). Thus, ligand recognition requires at least the threesaccharide residues of the isoglobo-series.

In a cell-free assay, iGb3 and iGb4 both required saposin B to replaceGT1 b preloaded onto CD1d (FIG. 4C, left panel). Moreover, CD1d/iGb3complexes directly stimulated Vα14 NKT cells (FIG. 4C, right panel). Incontrast, CD1d/iGb4 only elicited a very weak response. Altogether,these results demonstrate that iGb3 is the direct ligand of the Vα14 NKTcell and that, in vivo, the distal saccharide residue of iGb4 had to beremoved by action of β-Hexosaminidases in the lysosome prior to TCRrecognition at the plasma membrane.

Example 5 Isolectin B4 Blocks NKT Cell Activation by iGb3

The block of Vα14 NKT cell development in Hexb^(−/−) mice and theinability of Hexb^(−/−) thymocytes to stimulate Vα14 NKT hybridomassuggested that iGb3 alone might be the main natural ligand of mVα14 andhVα24 NKT cells. This was tested using Griffonia Simplicifolia isolectinB4 (IB4), a lectin highly specific for terminal Gal α1,3 Gal as found iniGb3. As shown in FIG. 5A, IB4 impaired hVα24 NKT cell stimulation byexogenously added iGb3 but not αGalCer. In contrast, anti-CD1d mAbblocked stimulation by both glycolipids. These results were consistentwith the specificity of IB4 and indicated that it recognized theterminal saccharides of iGb3 even when bound to CD1d, as might beexpected from current structure models placing the saccharide residuesoutside of the groove of CD1 molecules exposed to recognition by TCR orlectin.

This property of IB4 was exploited to test whether terminal Gal α1,3 Galresidues contributed significantly to the natural stimulation of mVα14and hVα24 NKT cells. As shown in FIG. 5B, IB4 impaired the naturalautoreactive stimulation of DN32.D3 by RBL cells expressing mouse CD1d,whereas, as expected, the stimulation of control non-Vα14 CD1dautoreactive hybridomas such as TBA 7 and TCB 11 were unaffected.Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5C, IB4 also blocked the naturalrecognition of CD1d-expressing PBMC-derived dendritic cells by the humanVα24 NKT line, but failed to block recognition of exogenously addedαGalCer. Interestingly, IB4 blockade of iGb3 recognition in humansconsistently required approx. 1000 times less lectin than in mouse (0.2ng/ml vs 0.2 μg/ml, respectively). This is likely because mice, but nothumans, express very abundant amounts of an additional IB4 ligand, theGal α1,3 Gal epitope expressed on glycoproteins. Thus, the IB4 blockingexperiments provided an independent confirmation of the prominent roleof iGb3 as natural ligand of both mVα14 and hVα24 NKT cells.

Example 6 Synthesis of iGb3

Compound 2, shown in FIG. 7, was used as a starting material in thegeneration of iGb3. Synthetic scheme 1, also shown in FIG. 7, wasinitiated by coupling compound 2 with donor 3, followed by removal ofthe benzyl protecting group. The remaining alcohols were acylated togenerate compound 4. The anomeric alcohol was liberated, and thetrisaccharide was coupled to ceramide 5. Purification of compound 6,followed by deprotection gave iGb3 in good yield. Reagents used inScheme 1 were as follows (yields in parentheses): a) AgOTf, 4 Å MS,CH₂Cl₂ (61%); b) H2, Pd/C (10%), EtOAc, EtOH (61%); c) Ac₂O, Et₃N, DMAP(95%); d) TFA, CH₂Cl₂ (99%); e1) CCl₃CN, K₂CO₃ e2) 5, BF₃-OEt, MS AW300,CH₂Cl₂; (45%); f) NaOMe, MeOH (86%).

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the contentclearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to acomposition containing “a polynucleotide” includes a mixture of two ormore polynucleotides. It should also be noted that the term “or” isgenerally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the contentclearly dictates otherwise. All publications, patents and patentapplications referenced in this specification are indicative of thelevel of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Allpublications, patents and patent applications are herein expresslyincorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individualpublication or patent application was specifically and individuallyindicated by reference. In case of conflict between the presentdisclosure and the incorporated patents, publications and references,the present disclosure should control.

It also is specifically understood that any numerical value recitedherein includes all values from the lower value to the upper value,i.e., all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowestvalue and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to beexpressly stated in this application. For example, if a concentrationrange is stated as 1% to 50%, it is intended that values such as 2% to40%, 10% to 30%, or 1% to 3%, etc., are expressly enumerated in thisspecification. These are only examples of what is specifically intended.

The invention has been described with reference to various specificembodiments and techniques. However, it should be understood that manyvariations and modifications may be made while remaining within thespirit and scope of the invention.

1. A method of activating an NKT cell comprising contacting the NKT cellwith a sufficient amount of iGb3 to induce secretion of a cytokine fromthe NKT cell, stimulate proliferation of the NKT cell or upregulateexpression of a cell surface marker on the NKT cell, wherein contactingthe NKT cell comprises administering iGb3 or an iGb3 precursor to asubject comprising the NKT cell.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theiGb3 is purified or synthetic.
 3. (canceled)
 4. (canceled)
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein the iGb3 is presented to the NKT cell by an antigenpresenting cell comprising a CD1d molecule.
 6. The method of claim 5,wherein the antigen presenting cell is a dendritic cell.
 7. The methodof claim 5, wherein the iGb3 precursor is provided to the antigenpresenting cell to produce the iGb3.
 8. (canceled)
 9. (canceled) 10.(canceled)
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject is a mammal.12. The method of claim 11, wherein the mammal is a human.
 13. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the cytokine is selected from the groupconsisting of IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, IL-15, TNF-α,TNF-β, IFN-γ and combinations thereof.
 14. The method of claim 13,wherein the cytokine is IFN-γ, IL-2, or IL-4.
 15. (canceled) 16.(canceled)
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein the cell surface marker isCD69, CD25, an IL-12 receptor or CD40L.
 18. A method of activating anNKT cell in a subject comprising administering iGb3 or an iGb3 precursorto the subject in an amount sufficient to induce secretion of a cytokinefrom the NKT cell, stimulate proliferation of the NKT cell or upregulateexpression of a cell surface marker on the NKT cell.
 19. The method ofclaim 18, wherein the iGb3 or iGb3 precursor is purified or synthetic.20. (canceled)
 21. The method of claim 19, wherein the precursor isiGb4.
 22. The method of claim 18, wherein the subject has cancer, anautoimmune disorder, or an infection.
 23. (canceled)
 24. (canceled) 25.The method of claim 18, wherein the cytokine is selected from the groupconsisting of IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, IL-15, TNF-α,TNF-β, IFN-γ and combinations thereof.
 26. The method of claim 25,wherein the cytokine is IFN-γ, IL-2, or IL-4.
 27. (canceled) 28.(canceled)
 29. The method of claim 18, wherein the cell surface markeris an IL-12 receptor or CD40L.
 30. A method of inducing secretion of acytokine from an NKT cell comprising contacting the NKT cell with iGb3.31. A method of stimulating proliferation of an NKT cell comprisingcontacting the NKT cell with iGb3.
 32. A method of upregulatingexpression of a cell surface marker on an NKT cell comprising contactingthe NKT cell with iGb3.